7 Busted, 2 Wanted In N.J. Heroin, Crack, Gun And Prescription Drug Ring

Seven people were busted recently in a statewide heroin, crack, gun and prescription drug ring as part of "Operation Dead End," police said.

The New Jersey State Police say they have arrested seven suspects and seized weapons, heroin, crack cocaine, prescription drugs and more than $31,000 as a result of "Operation Dead End."

Andre Banks, 48, and Tuasan Wise, 26, both of Newark, are still at large and have active arrest warrants, and a manhunt is ongoing. Anyone with information about the remaining suspects is asked to contact the State Police Crime Suppression North Unit at (973) 881-1226.

After a six-month investigation by the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression North Unit, detectives were able to identify nine suspects accused of operating a statewide drug trafficking ring mostly out of Newark, according to a State Police press release.

On Monday, April 3, the State Police — assisted by the Newark Police Department, Essex County Sheriff's Office and Plainfield Police Department — executed multiple search warrants in Newark and Plainfield. As a result of the investigation, detectives arrested seven individuals.

“The culture of violence in our cities is rooted in a culture of drug dealing,” said Attorney General Christopher Porrino. “With investigations such as this one, we are taking aim at the primary threat to safety."

“By dismantling this drug trafficking network, more than two-thousand doses of heroin and crack cocaine never made it to the street, which almost certainly saved a life,” said Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “We will continue to work with our partners to aggressively target individuals who peddle poison in our communities.”

The following were arrested and charged:

Maurice Stokes, 30, of Plainfield

• Possession of heroin
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Distribution of CDS within 500 feet of park and public housing
• Conspiracy to distribute CDS
• Possession of a handgun
• Lease, occupy or control a fortified structure while distributing CDS
• Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute
• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of prescription legend drugs
• Possession of a firearm while in possession of CDS
• Theft of movable property

Jarell Martin, 26, of Irvington

• Possession of heroin
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Distribution of CDS within 500 feet of park and public housing
• Conspiracy to distribute CDS
• Possession of a handgun
• Lease, occupy or control a fortified structure while distributing CDS
• Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute
• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of prescription legend drugs
• Possession of a firearm while in possession of CDS
• Theft of movable property
• Certain persons not to possess a firearm

Anthony Jones, 40, of Newark

• Possession of heroin
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Distribution of CDS within 500 feet of park and public housing
• Conspiracy to distribute CDS
• Jessica Acevedo, 25, of Newark
• Possession of a handgun
• Lease, occupy or control a fortified structure while distributing CDS
• Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute
• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of prescription legend drugs
• Possession of a firearm while in possession of CDS
• Theft of movable property

James Middleton, 45, of Newark

• Possession of heroin
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Distribution of CDS within 500 feet of park and public housing
• Conspiracy to distribute CDS
• Yazeem Lovett, 20, of Elizabeth
• Possession of heroin
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Distribution of CDS within 500’ of park and public housing
• Conspiracy to distribute CDS

Tyquan Price, 21 of Newark

• Possession of heroin
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Distribution of CDS within 500 feet of park and public housing
• Conspiracy to distribute CDS

As a result of the investigation, detectives seized the following:

• 1871 decks of heroin valued at $18,700
• 711 bags of crack cocaine valued at $28,400
• 73 grams of crack cocaine valued at $7,300
• Prescription drugs valued at $900
• Three grams of marijuana valued at $60
• .40-caliber handgun
• 9mm caliber handgun
• .38-caliber revolver
• More than $31,300 in cash
• 2012 Infiniti FX35 Sport Utility Vehicle

All suspects were lodged at the Essex County Jail on no-bail warrants.

State Police Photo